Good ideas to repurpose

Want to learn how to organize accessories?

 

Where are your scarves, caps, mittens and boots?

 

How fast can you find what you’re looking for?

A variety of outerwear can be easily accessible. Here’s a fun way to stop wasting time searching through a plethora of pieces ideal for every temperature and type of precipitation.

Artist trading card ATC front.

Artist trading card front, microwave oven rack, ATC size 2.5 x 3.5 inches

 

What’s the rack in new microwaves for?

In olden days, metal wasn’t permitted in microwaves, so I didn’t feel up to experimentation with the rack in my new microwave and I tucked it away. Have you ever thrown something out, then shortly after, thought of a great way you could have used it? I often challenge myself to innovate salvaged items; eventually, I repurposed it!

Artist trading card ATC back.

Title of the piece: Repurposed Rack • Media used: pencil, watercolor, Sharpies on natural parchment style paper • Date created: 2.8.2025 • Artist name and signature: Elizabeth Knaus • Group or swap information: good ideas • Artist contact info (website, email, etc.): freshretrogallery

I’m thankful for God-given gifts, creativity and good ideas.

Though undeserved, the Holy Spirit gives important inspiration provided for all sinful people to have mercy in Christ who died to save us. When the faith is received in baptism, comfort is taken by living in daily remembrance of this Power which inspires digging into God’s Word as well as being absolved and strengthened by participating in the Church as often as possible. Pray with me,

Grant us a faith that perseveres until the end, O Lord. Move us by Your Spirit, that our good works continually glorify You and benefit our neighbors. Amen. —The Lutheran Study Bible (Matthew 25)

Surprisingly fun inspiration pops into my head, too, like how to repurpose a piece of junk. Communication is a healthy part of relating, so when I feel gratefully nudged, I’ll share what runs through my mind, whether it be important for eternal life, or simple organization ideas. Thankful for opportunities to do so, I pray my words and illustrations are helpful, considerate and generous.

Scarf organization on the inside of coat closet door.

A bandana creates cushion tied on a wreath hook, shown on the opened door of coat closet. Upon that, a vintage wooden pant hanger holds a repurposed microwave oven rack. All is hung to organize a variety of winter scarves, plus a neoprene face mask designed for cold weather.

The microwave rack makes a way to easily organize scarves.

The coat closet door microwave rack organizer works great for quick scarf picks which easily pull through the rail slots. On the floor, wire racks found at a thrift shop work well to stack boots.

Marked with a masking tape label “shelf for microwave” so no one needs to wonder what the rack was originally designed for.

Clear bags make caps and mittens easy to find.

Caps and mittens in clear bags tied to hanger in closet.

This homemade closet organizer’s helpful features: 

• clear
• compact
• moveable
• hangs at convenient height to dig into
• inexpensive
  

The repurposed strong plastic bags shown originally contained mailing tube end caps for FreshRetroGallery Family Tree charts for descendants as well as ancestry of children and ancestry of couples available at Etsy and Amazon. You’re always welcome to browse my shops! I hope the things I offer serve a purpose for you or bring you meaningful inspiration. 

 

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Learn more and shop prompts and ATC papers

 

Index of Bible book posts

Good ideas to upcycle

What’s too good to toss?

 

What do you do with leftovers?

 

Which new ways are best?

Upcycling is a word for making something new out of an item that might otherwise be thrown away. 

Artist trading card ATC: What is too good to toss?

For example, you don’t need to waste the tiny chunks leftover in the powdery mixture at the bottom of a jar of honey-roasted peanuts if you save it to season popcorn. First, add melted butter for its rich, creamy, savory flavor with a hint of sweetness, then, sprinkle the honey roasted peanut leftovers and shake to mix. Sweet-salty snack seasonings are worth keeping! Finally, any kernels that refused to pop are tossed in the trash.  

Back side of artist trading card

Title of the piece: upcycle • Media used: marker and gel pen on natural parchment style paper • Date created: 1.10.2025 • Artist name and signature: Elizabeth Knaus • Group or swap information: good ideas • Artist contact info (website, email, etc.): freshretrogallery

Discern what to receive, keep, and toss away.

If you’re creative, you might keep tools, save materials, design and create things that benefit others. You enjoy the process as well as the result of sharing. 

The Creator of the universe renews His creatures and upcycles the whole creation.

Opportunities and unique abilities are designed for us by our Creator. God carries us in the faith—a gift in Holy Baptism which identifies people as His beloved children. Guided by the Holy Spirit, equipped to walk in the newness of life, the one who receives the faith in Christ is provided brilliant wisdom that comes by hearing God’s Word.

This powerful spiritual gift supplies a grace-filled gratitude that generates production of gentle, loving, good and beneficial work. Sinners are saved from their deserved destiny hell when, by the faith, they grasp the authority of Christ, His innocent arms spread at the cross for us to remove sin. Certain hope comforts all who rest in the knowledge that one day, Jesus will return to gather his brothers and sisters into an upcycled perfect new creation absent of sin and sorrow!

The Word endures forever to cover this temporary earthly disaster. 

Since the Heavenly Father hates sin and cares about us, He traded, lowered, His Only Son to redeem us. Jesus willingly humbled Himself, died for us and rose from the grave to cover us as the Only Way everyone desperately needs in order to please God. Everyone rejecting Truth will die eternally; yet people who do receive Christ’s power for the blessing of repentance can’t be condemned and will also be raised from the grave.

The Spirit reveals and guides in Truth, reminding us to flee evil—get rid of selfishness, pride, arrogance, rudeness and idols. Because everyone fails in many ways, Jesus cleared the path. Thankfully, God doesn’t require that we rely on government, science, knowledge, what we own, feel, decide, do or create to accomplish anything according to His purpose which is to move and keep us depending on the work of Christ. 

The Counselor carries people through thick and thin.

Spoken Word and Sacraments give and refill the faith. In these, we eagerly grasp opportunities to confess alongside other people within the Church, consume the Word (His body and blood in-with-under bread and wine) and hear the comfort of absolute forgiveness. Being recharged regularly with Scripture’s promise of salvation by grace in Christ, depending on His mercy, releases frustrations—both personal, plus that which results from sins inflicted upon us. The faith is fed and strengthened to fight against the devil’s temptations. By grace, we are released from the weakness of fallen human nature that would rather waste, ignore, twist, abuse, reject and toss God’s gifts away. The Light redirects focus away from self accomplishment and greed, to humbly trust the work of Jesus for forgiveness and peace.

We don’t realize all the ways.

Childbirth, good days, times of wandering, difficult seasons, death—God compassionately works in and through His baptized children for good, benefit of others, and protection. The Lord’s gentleness, kindness, patience, peace, love, goodness, faithfulness, joy and self-control are gifts of life to hold firmly. Gratitude of the Good News in Christ who finished the saving work for us is ours to generously share.

Do you have questions or are you looking for such a place of spiritual growth? Locate a congregation near you.

Artist trading card ATC examples.

Are you wondering what to create, how to trade, what to put on the back of artist trading cards or what size to make them? Learn more about ATCs at FreshRetroGallery.

Front and back of artist trading card, size 2.5 by 3.5 inch, What is too good to toss? upcycle; good ideas

What size are artist trading cards? 2.5x3.5"

 

Thanks for reading the FreshRetroGallery blog.

Welcome to browse!

FreshRetroGallery shops are at

• Etsy
• Amazon

How to make a finger labyrinth

How do you explore?

What might you look for and find? 

When was your last library experience?

Libraries are a wonderful place to go on a self-guided tour or ask the librarian for help. You might discover a calendar full of in-person classes! Invited speakers and instructors demonstrate how to make interesting items. Sign up to attend and enjoy! Learning and trying new things enriches a lifelong creative process. 

Finger Labyrinth, front

I learned how to make a finger labyrinth during a class I signed up for ahead of time. Most of the project was completed at my local library; then, at home I finished it by adding symbolism representing the Triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) in the center of my artwork.

Finger Labyrinth, back

On the back, I share how I am centered by the Word of God which fills me with Truth and peace which surpasses understanding through the gifts and inspiration I receive from the Creator of the Universe. Here is listed info about the mixed media artwork: 12x12 inch finger labyrinth made with prepared canvas stretched on wood frame, string, print, tissue, paper, glue, Mod Podge, markers, nail polish.

 

Finger Labyrinth, front and back

How to make a finger labyrinth—pin and try it!

How to make a finger labyrinth—pin and try it!

 

How to make a finger labyrinth

More info and get the base design: labyrinth for printing.

Artist Trading Card (ATC) 20-of-20 in Prompts Series

Can you sing it?

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

Sometimes, singing something strategically suitable supplements staying focused.

Since the 1965 film Mary Poppins, a silly word from a song performed by Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews has stuck with me.

Front, artist trading card (ATC) 20-of-20 in series.

Sledding on snow, wearing a stocking cap and scarf, sliding down the slippery hill on a red sled illustration inspired by the list of S-word Prompts for Artist Trading Cards on parchment style paper printed for ATC info from FreshRetroGallery

 

How do disheartened droopy souls grow up straight and strong?

Sunshine, shady soft rains and warm rich soil are sustenance that keep plants from shriveling up and dying. Rather than succumbing to stifling, sizzling secular days, everyone needs the Light to thrive, repent and seek the Son of God our Savior. Now, some who intentionally reject salvation described in sweet Scripture, subject themselves to an afterlife with incessant scorching heat. In the unknown time before death or until our Good Shepherd returns to gather His sheep, there’s still space for grace. We pray many people will receive Jesus who sets us free from despair. Far beyond screens, opportunities exist to sit, stand, shift around every single day, side-by-side, striding among and steadied by those who confess certain hope in Truth. The church is a sanctuary, a refuge where we hear beautiful sounds of musical instruments, encouraging songs, satisfying sermons and prayers spoken together. It’s so smart to see the reality of sin and the saving mercy in Jesus. All who are seeking humility may trust Christ to forgive failures. Our Counselor strengthens us to stop selfishness and sustains us in the faith. Imperfectly, yet uniquely empowered to serve, by grace, we’re supplied words to speak true joy to whoever has ears opened to hear. The Holy Spirit shines within and surrounds us, in-person, during liturgy and hymn singing on Sundays. Spiritual Support stockpiles sufficient rest and significant daily blessings—past the sleep of death—into the glorious splendor with our eternal Creator of the universe. 

• Memory Verse Challenge
• Using Hymns to Teach the Faith

“Since the Holy Spirit worked faith in us and we have been saved, we now live a life sanctified in which we are continually renewed by the Word and the Sacraments.”
—Melody Martin (read more about justification and sanctification)

ATC back number 20-of-20 in series.

Title of the piece: Winter Blessings • Media used: pressed crayons in pastel form and pencil on natural parchment style paper • Date created: 1.28.2024 • Artist name and signature: Elizabeth Knaus • Group or swap information: Creative Trading CardS • Artist contact info (website, email, etc.): freshretrogallery

 

Somehow, creativity makes us smile!

Our Creator made us and all spectacular gifts for our enjoyment—not suggesting we know-it-all, but only that we submit to His Son’s steadfast love for us! The serenity of a soft scene, splashing sandy shorelines, smoothly stretched shadows, spring-fed streams for spearing swimming salmon to smoke for snacking, sturdy steel-toe or snappy style shoes, stories during supper, scraps sewn into strips, saying sorry, forgiving seven times seventy, solid school lessons for success, the sport of softball, sculpted stone, strawberry shakes, spending time together, a secure and safe sojourn … What artistic spin might you put on a simple word prompt?

Inspired by a list of S word Prompts on natural parchment style paper for artist trading cards by FreshRetroGallery, 20th in series.

 

Should the gift of creativity serve and support each other?

While artist trading cards offer simplicity and solace to pass time in a meaningful way, special invitations to swap create a type of social sharing that keeps no score. Making ATCs are a superior activity to stay cool on sweltering summer days and snugly sheltered on snowbound days. Tap the link for shopping inspiration and to learn more.

Prompts for ATC creative artist trading cards

 

Beyond Sunday School, there’s so much more to study about spiritual growth…

See also an index for books of the Bible Sketches

Series of Prompts 19-of-20 ATC

Do you have a list?

 

Did you check it twice?

Deck the halls!

Dabble with a dish of water and paint colors. Discover delightful inspiration for artistry.

Front artist trading card (ATC) 19-of-20 in series.

Descending dove with olive branch offering peace by faith in Christ, a gift of the Holy Spirit. Mixed media painting inspired by the list of D-word Prompts for Artist Trading Cards on parchment style paper printed for ATC info from FreshRetroGallery

 

Don’t duplicate, do something different!

Dot-to-dot is a fun way to learn numbers. Door-to-door is a dandy way to get candy. Demolition derbies are smashing events where drivers deliberately destruct cars. Dad asked me to name the dog. Unused creativity dried up like a desert dune, springs back to dazzling days with artist trading cards (ATCs).

ATC back number 19-of-20 in series.

Title of the piece: Pardon & Peace • Media used: pencil, watercolor & charcoal white on natural parchment style paper • Date created: 1.22.2024 • Artist name and signature: Elizabeth Knaus • Group or swap information: Creative Trading CarDs • Artist contact info (website, email, etc.): freshretrogallery

Diligently shopping for gifts with degrees of depth?

Draw artist trading cards for a discipline of discovery in 3.5x2.5 inch dimensions. Thickness doesn’t matter. Design it delicately flat or deeply texture layers of multi-media. Artists may decide on doing dynamic series or larger works by drafting mini ATC works.

19th in series inspired by a list of D word Prompts on natural parchment style paper for artist trading cards by FreshRetroGallery.

 

Date and title each art piece for trading.

Swap ATCs in person or do it by mail. 

• Gather with one to a dozen or more, create together or bring them pre-made to the trade meet. Decide how to play it out—for example, you could draw numbers to determine an order for artists to take turns choosing which piece they’ll take home. 
• Join a group online to show ATCs and make deals. 

Tap the link below to read the Etsy listing description for many more ideas and benefits!

Prompts for creative artist trading cards (ATC)

Do you want dignity driven doctrine and devotion in the faith?

See also an index for books of the Bible Sketches

 

Artist creative trading caRds prompts series 18/20

What’s the reason?

 

Who wants refreshment?

Do you rave about being right?

With our freedom to reason, we should strive to take responsibility for best results. Failures realized—our lack of being right, achieving what’s required, resisting what’s wrong—is the reason to reverently run to Jesus in every season. The Word’s wisdom reminds us resiliency is only in Christ who restrains the Father’s repulsion over the rebellion of humankind. Remorsefully responding to rebuke, reprimand and reproach we deserve—counsel for our own benefit and the good of others—we respectfully receive release to rebound and relax. 

Front artist trading card (ATC) 18-of-20 in series.

Messy copper brown and teal on white cover stock background has two layers of ribbon, orange stripes and sheer brown, beneath three transparent square shaped vinyl stickers. Attached to back from FreshRetroGallery is a Prompts for Artist Trading Card parchment style form.

 

Unreasonableness is reverse of honesty. 

Refusal to recognize and revoke personal error leads us to react with cold, rattled, robotic rage. With healthy resources of compassionate empathy removed, reactions are rigid and irrational. A potential step forward relapses to two back. Regressing repetitively, rigorous aim to regulate and rule others becomes unrelenting. Robust leadership is reduced to domineering control, ridiculous remote button-pushing, deaf and dumb to reason. Remember rotary dial phones? They spin only so far before they’re stopped. Ignoring reality puts rotation in a downward spiral that’s bound to hit bottom.

Thankfully for believers, God’s Word is always right and reliable. 

The Spirit reminds us that everything doesn’t revolve around any singular person or particular situation in this world. The Heavenly Father lovingly refocuses eyes. He disciplines each of His own dear children who respect their Creator. Truth’s reward is repentantly being rebuilt in Christ, constantly reflecting on rebirth by regeneration and renewal for rescue and refuge. Being renovated with reputation repaired, renewed and refreshed by routinely receiving gifts in worship, the warmth of God’s love radiates through all who live and rest in the completeness of Light.

Repent means turn to the Risen Christ for rest, repeatedly.

Rivers roar and ripple over rugged layers of shallowness, rock-hardheadedness, stubbornness and messy mud. Life is kept from dangers beneath and above transparent thin ice in this temporary time of grace. The Holy Spirit recommends being ready for now and what is to come by resolutely being rooted in Word regularly for the revealed Way, Truth and Life. The cleansing gift of repentance given by Word and water of baptism trusts the Giver. Remembering the body and blood of Jesus washes sin away to replace it with redemption brings relief by the faith received. Recalling the reason for our rough roads now and having certain hope for eternity, relieved believers respond joyfully in the Rock of our salvation! Jesus was born, died and rose to ruin the sting of death. Grace removes what’s repulsive; makes pure all who believe and live the faith offered to them. Christ made everything right before our Holy Father in heaven. Those properly receiving Him, taste/digest in bread/wine, are strengthened, made ready by Him for the resurrection and final reunion when all will bow as He gathers believers for eternity in paradise. Then, those—riddled by Satan’s lies—choosing to reject Jesus, will remain apart from Him in darkness to suffer eternally. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; Matthew 12:20

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. Psalm 42:1

ATC back number 18-of-20 in series.

Title of the piece: Reunion • Media used: cover stock, enamel paint, ribbon, double-sided tape, scrapbook sticker on natural parchment style paper • Date created: 3.1.2024 • Artist name and signature: Elizabeth Knaus • Group or swap information: Creative Trading Cards • Artist contact info (website, email, etc.): freshretrogallery

 

Read reviews.

Visit FreshRetroGallery to shop Christmas cards, stationery, gift-worthy family tree charts, notebooks, scrolls, reunion favors, ATC papers, prompts and more.

18th in series using Prompts on natural parchment style paper for artist trading card Reunion, by FreshRetroGallery.

 

Prompts for ATC creative artist trading cards

Index for books of the Bible Sketches

ATC number 17 of 20 Prompts series creative artist trading cArds

Are you ready to answer?

 

What’s always attractive?

 

Are you aware of an announcement?

En plein air which is French for in the open air painting isn’t a practice I’ve already taken up, although I admire artists who get outside of their walls to sketch or paint actual panorama, agricultural and angular areas. Another approach, “artist trading cards” is my latest avenue to advance creatively.

Front artist trading card (ATC) 17-of-20 in series.

An artist using an A-shaped easel painting at lake shore; inspired by the 17th letter in the Prompts series creative trading cArds and painted from imagination.

Admirable attitudes arise from adding adventurous activities.

Artistic insight is advantageous to capture amazing angles on camera, yet illustrations and paintings require more work. I was once a part of an an art class that walked to a residential area near the school we attended. We learned about linear perspective, an illustration process that creates an illusion of depth on a flat surface. Horizontal parallel lines converge at vanishing points on the composition’s horizon line. The assignment was to draw an actual home with gabled dormer windows on the roof by penciling guide lines with a straight edge ruler. Artwork from observation, on-site or indoors, involves attention to size of elements in the composition, lighting details, full saturation of color in foreground, tinting colors in the distance and use of shadows.

ATC back number 17-of-20 in series.

Title of the piece: Pondering Plein Air • Media used: watercolor and pencil on natural parchment style paper • Date created: 3.14.2024 • Artist name and signature: Elizabeth Knaus • Group or swap information: Creative Trading Cards • Artist contact info (website, email, etc.): freshretrogallery

Abundant reasons to appreciate and apply artistic skills.

Art is for personal amusement and accomplishing practical vocational opportunities. My father designed architectural drawings to plan the seed cleaning business he built with the help of my mother. I chose a career in communication art and design, so my creative graphic and written work is admitted through print and social media avenues.

Natural parchment style paper for artist trading card Pondering Plein Air painting, 17th in series using Prompts by FreshRetroGallery.

Artist trading cards awaken creativity as well as accesses a collaborative purpose.

Artists apply an aim to abbreviate by reducing dimensions of the works they create and are aware of advantages. Production cost and wall space limitations prove that unlimited conventional large artworks aren’t attainable for all artists. Working small size of artist trading cards (ATC) 3.5" by 2.5" accomplishes conserving and using up available medium on hand and adding multimedia applications such as altered playing cards. Additionally, the interaction of trading art adds a playful aspect.

Creative ATC Prompts for Artist Trading Cards

Always look to the Almighty Creator!

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. John 20:18

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6

Index for books of the Bible Sketches